Creating Change in an Emerging Economy

Alexis Gabriel (MBA/IEP '13) spent the summer in South Africa working on business and environmental projects.

October 2, 2012 - 12:00am

This past summer I had the great opportunity to work with Project 90 by 2030, a South African non-profit located in Cape Town that has the goal to change how South Africans live by 2030. Project 90 focuses on inciting widespread change in the country by influencing federal policy through the creation of papers that contain policy recommendations for the government, working on high-visibility green projects and engaging the youth in environmental activities.

While communications officer was my official role during the internship, I was also able to work on other projects such as reviewing their Action Catalyst Training program (eco-consulting), assisting with fundraising research and participating in staff workshops.

It was great to see how my experiences studying business and environmental policy at the Monterey Institute came together at this internship. I was as comfortable discussing solar panel projects as I was discussing Porter's Five Forces. In addition, the experience of living in one of the world's leading emerging economies was eye opening as it gave me an insight into the issues that emerging countries face on the ground, and a better understanding of the many opportunities that also reside there.